CVE-2023-30588 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability has been identified in Node.js that could lead to denial of service (DoS) attacks by causing application termination when processing invalid public keys.

Understanding CVE-2023-30588

This vulnerability affects all active Node.js versions v16, v18, and v20.

What is CVE-2023-30588?

When an invalid public key is used to create an x509 certificate using the crypto.X509Certificate() API, a non-expected termination occurs. This makes it susceptible to DoS attacks as the process terminates when accessing public key info of provided certificates from user code, causing a DoS scenario.

The Impact of CVE-2023-30588

The vulnerability allows attackers to force interruptions in application processing, leading to denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-30588

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises in Node.js when processing invalid public keys, resulting in application termination.

Affected Systems and Versions

All active Node.js versions v16, v18, and v20 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by using invalid public keys to create x509 certificates, triggering application termination.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Node.js installations to the latest secure versions to mitigate the risk of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor Node.js security advisories for updates and apply patches promptly to ensure system security.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the Node.js security blog for information on vulnerability mitigations and security updates.